TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) chair hopeful Cheng Li-wen (鄭麗文) demanded Tuesday (Sept. 30) that Taiwan resist unreasonable U.S. trade demands. Her statement follows Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's proposals for bilateral agreements and 50-50 chip production concepts. The dispute highlights growing tensions over Taiwan's economic sovereignty amid U.S. pressure on the island's semiconductor sector.
Cheng met former Interior Minister Lee Hong-yuan (李鴻源) earlier that day, warning that the U.S. should not treat Taiwan as a cash cow. She emphasized protecting domestic industries from being hollowed out while highlighting China's market, technology, and workforce as vital resources for Taiwan. The opposition leader stressed cross-strait peace as essential for Taiwan's economic stability, challenging the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP, 民進黨) approach to U.S.-China relations.
Cheng promised the KMT would articulate clear policies supporting Taiwan's industries, as concerns mount over losing the island's "silicon shield" protection. Growing skepticism exists about U.S. willingness to defend Taiwan militarily against China, particularly after Lutnick's assertion that America possesses sufficient domestic chip production. The debate reflects deeper anxieties about whether Taiwan's semiconductor dominance still guarantees U.S. security commitments in potential cross-strait conflicts. ◼
